Waiter/cook Kevin Ly serves a set of entrees to Paul Jenkins and Olivia Opatz during a busy Saturday night at Mekong Restaurant. - Mekong Restaurant is a jewel among the Tenderloin's many Thai restaurants. Its tranquil atmosphere and beautifully displayed painted Asian fans are the perfect remedy after a day on your feet or a day at the office. Every item on the menu is priced under $11. Mekong offers one of the largest vegan selections in the city; of the 80 items featured on the menu, 59 can be prepared vegetarian. Mike Kepka / The Chronicle Photo taken on 11/3/07, in San Francisco, CA, USA

Photo: Mike Kepka

Waiter/cook Kevin Ly serves a set of entrees to Paul Jenkins and...

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Waiter/Cook Kevin Ly shows off his Vegan Duck with basil dish at Mekong Restaurant. - Mekong Restaurant is a jewel among the Tenderloin's many Thai restaurants. Its tranquil atmosphere and beautifully displayed painted Asian fans are the perfect remedy after a day on your feet or a day at the office. Every item on the menu is priced under $11. Mekong offers one of the largest vegan selections in the city; of the 80 items featured on the menu, 59 can be prepared vegetarian. Mike Kepka / The Chronicle Photo taken on 11/3/07, in San Francisco, CA, USA

Crazy as it sounds, students at San Francisco's California Culinary Academy can tire of what's prepared and served in daily classes. During my time there, a few classmates and I were lucky enough to discover Mekong, a jewel among the Tenderloin's many Thai restaurants. Its tranquil atmosphere and beautifully displayed painted Asian fans are the perfect remedy after a day on your feet or a day at the office.

No item on the menu costs more than $11. Mekong offers one of the largest vegan selections in the city, and of the 80 items featured on the menu, 59 can be prepared without meat.

Along with its many vegan options, Mekong also cooks meat exceptionally well. Thin slices of chicken cooked with a yellow pumpkin curry ($8.50) were moist and tender, and the curry had a bright, rich flavor.

For a slightly sweet but decadent dessert, finish your meal with a thick, creamy avocado milk shake ($4). Mekong does not serve alcohol, but diners can bring their own, with a wine corkage fee of $5, or $3 per person for parties of four or more. There is generally no fee for beer.